Tracking System and Portable Virtual Fence

ABSTRACT

A tracking system includes a global positioning system (GPS) module and a modem for mobile communications both attached to a pet (or other trackee), and a virtual fence (which includes a base station sending a signal to a certain range and a receiver attached to the pet (or other trackee) and receiving the signal sent by a base station when the receiver is within the range of the base station). A portable virtual fence system includes a signal-sending base station, and a signal-receiver worn by a to-be-fenced pet or other trackee. Advantageously, the base station is portable. The size of the virtual fence can be expanded to fit any shaped geometry using signal repeater or transceiver devices. In addition, more than one pet can be tracked using a single virtual fence and base station.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/368,628 filed Mar. 7, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.______, and claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Nos.60/659,428 filed Mar. 9, 2005; 60/668,982 filed Apr. 7, 2005 and60/670,687 filed Apr. 13, 2005, and the complete contents of theseapplications is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to securing and tracking pets, people andobjects, and especially to virtual fencing including fencing of variablegeometry, as well as to location awareness processing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking technology has been employedfor tracking pets, lost objects, and people. Prior systems have manyweaknesses including power consumption requirements that necessitatechanging batteries every day, inability to employ alternative trackingtechnologies when GPS does not provide adequate tracking, and the lackof use of a service that can be selectively engaged to aid in trackingonly when necessary or desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventor has recognized that reliance entirely uponGPS-tracking for tracking missing pets, missing people and missingpersonal property is problematic, because who or what is missing may besomewhere unreachable by GPS-signals, and he has provided a strategicsolution of mixed-use of GPS and other tracking technologies (e.g.,GSM). In a preferred embodiment, the invention uses GPS trackingwhenever available and, when GPS tracking is not available,automatically resorts to GSM tracking or tracking using othertechnologies.

A tracking module is attached to a “trackee” which can be a pet,livestock, person or an inanimate object (e.g., a possession that mightbe stolen). The tracking module or a base station includes a modem,transceiver, or other communications device such as a mobilecommunications device (e.g., a modem for a GSM protocol; a modem for aCDMA protocol, etc.) which is used to communicate with a service center.The communications device is selectively activated to communicate withthe service center when the tracking module is outside of a specificarea (i.e., the “virtual fence”). The size and shape of the virtualfence is variable and is dependent on the transmission range of RFtransmissions between the tracking module and a base station. In oneembodiment, the user of the system can adjust the range at the basestation or tracking module simply by increasing or decreasingtransmission power or signal strength. When the tracking module and basestation are separated by a distance that is too great for the RF signalto be received, the mobile communications device on the tracking moduleis activated to notify the service center that the tracking module isoutside of the virtual fence. The RF transmitter can be located in thebase station such that when the tracking module fails to receive asignal, a mobile communications device in the tracking module isactivated and contacts the service center. In this way, the trackingmodule only needs to provide power to a receiver or transceiver whichreceives signals from the RF transmitter at the base station while thepet, person or object is within the virtual fence, and it is only afterthe pet, person or object leaves the virtual fence that the servicecenter is notified by the mobile communications device. However, in someconfigurations, the RF transmitter could be located in the trackingmodule, and a communications device in the base station would contactthe service center when the tracking device and base station areseparated by too great a distance (i.e., when the RF transmitter is outof range and RF signals are not received at the base station).

In another embodiment, one or more repeaters or transceivers could beused to enlarge the range between the tracking module and the basestation and to accommodate properties having different geometries. Thatis, repeater stations or “transceiver stations” or “signal relaystations” can be positioned to relay the RF transmission between thetracking module and the base station. In this way, a system comprisedof, for example, an animal collar with a tracking module thereon and abase station may be used in extended geographic coverage area. Anyregularly or irregularly shaped geographic area may be defined byplacement of signal repeaters or signal transceivers at positions thatreceive the RF transmission and repeat the transmission. For example,multiple repeater stations may be placed in a line of any geometry(e.g., straight lines, triangles, L-shapes, etc.) with each signalrepeater or transceiver either forwarding or re-initiating a new signalrepresenting the original signal or regenerating the original signalsuch that the distance or area covered by the signal sent between thetracking module and base station is greater than when no repeaters arepresent. The use of repeaters or transceivers has the advantages thatodd shaped property lines could be covered using RF signaling andwithout requiring a GPS fence.

As noted above, when the virtual fence is breached, for example, by apet getting out of its yard, the communications device notifies aservice center. The notification preferably includes an identificationof the tracking module. In one embodiment of the invention, there may bemultiple tracking modules associated with a single base station. Forexample, if a pet owner had two or more animals he or she could usesmultiple animal collars, each with tracking modules thereon, inconjunction with a single base station by assigning a unique digitaldevice address to each animal tracking device operating within the samenetwork as the base station. Alternatively, the animal tracking devicesmight each be pre-assigned with its on unique identification. Themultiple unique addresses would permit individual collar devices to beseparately monitored, tracked, and reported upon to the service center,for example, once each tracking device has been registered with servicecenter (e.g., by storing the identification in the service centerdatabases).

Once the service center is contacted by the communication device at thebase station or the tracking module, the service center identifies theowner of the pet or object, parent of the child, or otherwiseresponsible party of the pet, person or object to be tracked, andcontacts that party. Contacting can be done by one or more of e-mail,telephone, facsimile, text message, or any other suitable means. Theservice center can be a call center staffed by personnel or it cansimply be a computerized center, and the service center databases wouldinclude the contact information necessary to reach the responsibleparty. In the context of a lost pet for example, the service centermight send a text message to the pet owner indicating that the servicecenter has received a communication indicating that the person's pet isout of its yard. This allows the pet owner to decide whether or not totrack the pet. For example, if the pet owner has taken his pet on a walkand failed to turn off the virtual fence, there would be no need totrack the pet. Also, if the pet owner is too far from home to begin tosearch for his or her pet, there would be no need to begin tracking.While tracking by the service center could begin immediately upon breachof the virtual fence, in the preferred embodiment, tracking does notbegin until the responsible party responds to the service center'snotification and authorizes tracking to begin. On receivingauthorization from the responsible party, the service center will send awireless communication signal to the wireless communication device onthe tracking module instructing the tracking module to activate GPStracking (in the case of the tracking module having a wirelesscommunication device notifying the service center of the breach of thefence, the wireless communication device which receives the GPS trackingsignal is preferably the same device, and in the case of the basestation having a communication device that notifies the service center,the tracking module will need a wireless communication device whichreceives the GPS tracking signal). In this way, substantial battery lifecan be saved for when power is needed most. That is, the GPS trackingdevice and/or other tracking devices are not activated until theresponsible party (e.g., pet owner) is able to benefit from thetracking.

After tracking is begun, GPS signals are obtained at the tracking moduleand communicated to the service center. The service center then providesthis information and/or street location information and/or maps to theresponsible party. This could be accomplished by a person at a callcenter talking with, for example, a pet owner while he is searching forhis or her pet. Alternatively, maps and other location indicatinginformation could be transmitted from a computer at the service centerto the responsible party's telephone, personal data assistant (PDA),portable computer, or other system or device suitable for receiving andprocessing this information. In this alternative, for example, a petowner could walk around his or her neighborhood periodically reviewingtheir PDA or telephone image screen for location information indicatingthe location of their pet, and can see the movements of their pet on thescreen. That is the service center can interact with the PDA or otherdevice to provide updated location and direction-to-location informationas to, for example, a pet's present location and can continuouslyprovide updated directions from the owner's current location to the nowcurrent location of the lost animal. Computation and presentation of thedirection to location information may be performed independently on thePDA or other wiredlwireless device with the service center providingregularly updated current location information of the lost animal basedon updated information from the tracking module on the pet's collar, orcomputation and presentation of the direction-to-location informationmay be perfoiiued in whole or in part on the computers of the servicecenter and uploaded to the PDA or other wired/wireless devices of theowner. Directions may be presented via voice, digital mapping orsatellite imagery, alphanumeric messaging, e-mail, or other mechanism asmay suit the specific technology of the responsible party (e.g., petowner).

When GPS signal information is not available (such as, for example, whena pet enters a drainage pipe or heavily wooded area where GPS signalscannot easily be received), the tracking module is preferably equippedwith alternative tracking technology (e.g., GSM), and automaticallyswitches to the alternative tracking technology. Location identificationinformation obtained using the alternative tracking technology isconveyed to the responsible party by the service center in the same or asimilar fashion. Furthermore, sensors can be provided to sense, e.g.,darkness, such that additional systems associated with the trackingmodule such as lighting (flashing, continuous, colored, etc.) can beactivated to assist in locating the pet, person or object

Various improvements have been made for efficient power managementduring the tracking period (e.g., after breach, notification toresponsible party, and authorization to track). These improvements arediscussed in the context of a “lost pet recovery mode” but would beapplicable for tracking of people and inanimate objects. The longer theelapsed period of time the device is in the lost pet recovery mode, thegreater the demand is for power from the battery that supplies theenergy for all of the systems on the pet collar. During this lost petrecovery mode it can be desirable that the collar device remains in anactivated state during the search and until such time as the pet is backinside the virtual fence and the collar device has reestablishedcommunication with the base station. Two simple examples serve toillustrate the benefit of enhanced power management strategy withoutrequiring deactivation of the device:

Example: the collar device is prematurely deactivated before the collarand base station have reconnected and established a “safe” mode, then itmight not be possible to reactivate the collar device in conditions suchas another lost pet event after deactivation but before returning tosafe mode;

Example: if the lost pet recovery mode needs to operate for an extendedperiod of time (e.g. several hours or longer) it may be useful ornecessary to dynamically alter the interval of time between reports ofthe pet's current location in order to conserve energy for this extendedsearch time (the alternative to this would be premature consumption ofremaining power and the unintended disabling of the collar deviceentirely).

In order to provide more efficient power management of the collar devicewithout requiring deactivation, additional power management functionscan be implemented that support dynamic determination of the interval oftime between location reports while in lost pet recovery mode. Forexample, an algorithm can be used to automatically increase the timeinterval between location reports as the duration of the lost petrecovery mode extends beyond a dynamically set minimum threshold oftime. For example: during the first X minutes of lost pet recovery modethe location reporting interval might be calculated as X/10; during thenext 2X minutes of lost pet recovery mode the interval may decrease to(X/10)*3; during the next 3X minutes the interval may decrease to(X/10)*5; etc. Upon receipt of an appropriate command from the servicecenter, prompted by the pet owner or the service center itself, thealgorithm can be dynamically adjusted, such as to “reset” it to a newstarting value (such as restarting at X/10 again). These dynamic valuesmay be established by some predetermined algorithm; by variablesestablished by particular “user profiles”; based upon remaining batterypower; or some combination of all of these. Further, one embodimentcould leave the collar device (tracking module) in standby(non-deactivated) state following recovery of the lost pet until suchtime as the pet has returned inside the virtual fence and communicationhas been established between the collar and base station. If the collardevice were deactivated upon the initial recovery of the pet, it couldthen be in a state that would not support reestablishment of a lost petrecovery mode prior to returning inside the virtual fence in case of asubsequent lost pet event.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an inventive tracking system in which GSM isused, including a start step (100); a read SMS step (110); a go to trackstep (115); a read GPS/send SMS step (120); a test that GPS integrity isgood step (125); a read every 90 seconds step (130); a send SMS step(140); a read GSM position step (150); a send cell position info step(160); a read every 90 seconds step (170); a send SMS step (180); and a15 minute-based step (135).

FIG. 2 is a summary flow chart useable with FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, thesystem progresses from standby mode (200), to reading SMS (210) tochecking GSM/GPS track (220), to tracking (230) 15 minutes later, to anendpoint (240).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an inventive device to be worn by a trackee(such as, e.g., on a collar) in an inventive tracking system using GPSand GSM. The device of FIG. 3 comprises GSM (301), SIM (303), GPS (302),microprocessor (304), flashlight (306), battery (310) and optionalphotovoltaic charger (305) which are connected as shown.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic drawing of a collar 400 wearable by a trackeefor practice of the invention.

FIG. 5 (not drawn to scale) is a diagram of an inventive tracking systemcomprising a collar 400 and a signal-emitting base station B, andillustrating the use of overlapping signal repeaters or transceivers.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the trackee 600, human user 601, basestation B and service center C.

FIG. 7 is a functional flowchart for an embodiment of the inventioncomprising a tracker unit 700, a base station (701), and a server (702).

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an inventivemodule 800, in assembled form. FIG. 8A is a back view of module 800 ofFIG. 8. FIG. 8B is an exploded view of module 800. FIG. 8C is a sideview of module 800 of FIG. 8. FIG. 8D is a top (front) viewcorresponding to FIG. 8C.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive basestation 900, in assembled form (antenna not shown in FIG. 9). FIG. 9B isa rotated view of the base station 900 of FIG. 9. FIG. 9B is a top viewof the base station 900 of FIG. 9, and FIG. 9C is a side view of thebase station 900 of FIG. 9. FIG. 9D is an exploded perspective view ofbase station 900 of FIGS. 9-9C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention provides certain methods, systems, products and devicesespecially suited for recovering a “trackee” (such as trackee 600 inFIG. 6). “Trackee” herein broadly refers to a living being or inanimateobject which, or who, is wanted to be retained in a certain physicalplace and, if missing, to be tracked and retrieved. Examples of atrackee are, e.g., an animate subject (such as an animal which is a pet,a human, etc.); an inanimate object (such as, e.g. a stolen possession),etc. While tracking is preferably performed using GPS tracking devicesand technologies, it is particularly preferred to be able to also tracka missing trackee who otherwise would be in a location not reachable byGPS, such as, e.g., within a building, etc. However, tracking of amissing trackee is not limited to non-GPS-reachable locations, and amissing trackee may be tracked while in an area reachable by GPS. Itwill be appreciated that a missing trackee (such as a missing pet, etc.)will not naturally confine itself or himself or herself to an areareachable by GPS, and therefore, it is important for a tracking systemto be able to reach a missing trackee even if the missing trackee is outof reach of GPS. In certain embodiments of the invention, a missingtrackee may be trackable underground (such as, e.g., underground);underwater (such as, e.g. underwater); etc.

A “user” (such as user 601 in FIG. 6) mentioned herein refers to aresponsible human who is responsible for or cares for the trackee, suchas, e.g., a pet-owner in the case of a pet as a trackee; a parent in thecase of a child as a trackee; the owner of an object to be tracked, etc.

The invention in one embodiment may be appreciated with reference toFIG. 6 which is a diagram showing that the essential elements for aninventive tracking system are: a signal-emitting base station B; atrackee 600 who physically wears a tracking device comprising at least(1) a receiver for the signal emitted by the base station and (2)preferably a mixed GPS/GSM tracking system wherein GPS is a first-resortand if GPS is unavailable GSM (or alternatively, a second non-GPStracking technology) is resorted to; a service center C; and a humanuser 601.

When the trackee 600 is in the trackee's intended area (i.e., within RFsignal transmission range between the base station B and the trackee 600or within an extended RF signal transmission range supported by one ormore repeaters(not shown)), automated communication 600-B occurs betweenthe trackee 600 and the base station B.

If automated communication 600-B is not being detected, service center Cbecomes aware (via automated communication 600-C between the trackee 600and the service center C) of the absence of automated communication600-B and service center C communicates 601-C with the human user 601.Upon authorization by the human, user 601, the mode of the automatedcommunication 600-C between the service center C and the trackee 600changes from standby mode to tracking mode. Modes are discussed furtherbelow.

In FIG. 6, the solid lines 600-B, 600-C and 601-C represent automatedcommunication. Additionally, a human user 601 who is seeking his lostpet 600 typically visually searches for his pet 600 and eventually whenhe is close enough establishes personal communication 600-601 with thepet 600.

In FIG. 6, the human user 601 may have non-automated communication 601-Cwith the service center C, such as by telephoning the service centeroperator for instructions on where to seek the missing pet 600.

It should be appreciated that variations in the types of communicationare permissible in FIG. 6, for more or less automated approaches, andmore or less service-center involvement, depending on the equipment theuser 601 has and the user's preferences. For example, if a user 601 hassuitable equipment, he may want to receive automated communication C-601from the service center which will display for him as a map showing hismissing pet 600's current location. Usually in most current phones, thescreen is too small to receive a map, and therefore a physical addressis sent. However, if the user 601 has only access to a phone whichcannot receive a map or a physical address (e.g., 12 Elm Street), thenhe may want an operator at the service center C to talk him through thepursuit of the missing pet 600. In one embodiment, the center employs acomputerized operation where location information in the form of maps orimages are transmitted to the user's PDA, telephone, portable computeror other device, and directions to the location of the trackee is alsoprovided. This can be done by providing textual directions or graphicaldirections. The direction to location information can be generated bythe service center and transmitted to the user, but might also becomputed at the user's PDA or other device after the locationinformation of the trackee is determined.

A global positioning system (GPS) module is used in the invention. GPSmodules are known and commercially available. Examples of a GPS moduleare, e.g., Motorola's Encore GPS module, or other commercially availablemodules that pick up a GPS signal.

In the invention, a modem or other communication device for mobilecommunications is used. Modems and other devices for mobilecommunications are known, such as, e.g., a GSM modem or a CDMA modem.GSM is the preferred modem for mobile communications (e.g., GSM trackingunder the trade name Cambridge Positioning Systems and MATRIX). CDMA isa GSM-alternative and also is commercially-available. Where GSM has beenmentioned herein, CDMA also may be alternately substituted even if notexpressly recited. If a further substitute to GSM and CDMA is developed,that also may be suitable for use in the present invention.

In the present invention, use of GSM (or CDMA) is selective and as asecond-resort, namely, when GPS coordinates are not available. When GPScoordinates are available, the GPS route is used. In inventive methods,devices, systems, and products, it is preferred to switch from a GPSmode to a GSM mode, or to another location detection system, only whenthe GPS mode is not operational. Using GSM in such a non-preferentialway as a second resort provides unique advantages, especially theability to track a missing pet or other missing trackee when a GPS-onlytracking system otherwise would be “blind” to the missing trackee. InFIG. 4, mixed use of GPS and GSM is intended to be communicated and GPSand GSM are not shown in a literal way. It will be understood that otherGPS/second location technologies can be used. Further, in someapplications, only GPS will be employed.

In the invention, the GPS module and the modem for mobile communicationsare associated with the trackee in a manner that is not particularlylimited, such as, e.g., using a collar, a tag, a wearable device notremovable by the wearer, etc. The manner of associating the GPS moduleand the modem to the trackee is selected with reference to the nature ofthe trackee and the application. For example, where the trackee is a petdog, a collar or tag is preferably used. FIG. 4 shows an example of acollar 400, including a GPS component and a GSM component (the GPScomponent being used preferentially and the GSM component being used asa second resort when GPS is unavailable), an antenna 401 and powersource 402 (preferably a battery (such as, e.g., a lithium polymer ionbattery)). A collar is only shown by way of example and the invention isnot limited to being practiced with collars. The components that thetrackee wears may, for example, be formed into a unit, which unit isattachable to a collar. When the trackee is a pet, preferably thecomponents worn by the trackee are housed in a chew-proof unit orotherwise protected from destruction by the trackee. A preferredmaterial for making a chewproof unit is a chewproof plastic, mostpreferably Surlyn plastic made by Dupont. Where the trackee is a human(such as an offender) who may have motivation to defeat a trackingsystem by removal, or where the trackee is a valuable object which couldbe stolen, a locking system may additionally be used, as needed. Incertain embodiments, maximum concealment of the placement of the GPSmodule, the GSM modem, the antenna and other components on the trackeemay be advantageous.

For powering the GPS module and the modem worn by the trackee, a powersource (402) is used, preferably a battery power source (such as, e.g.,a 3.7 volt battery; a lithium polymer ion battery, etc.). The powersource (402) is provided in proximity to the GPS module and the modem.The position of power source 402 in FIG. 4 is not limited to theplacement shown, and any proximate placement of the power source to thecomponents being powered is permissible.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the invention, a base station B is used. Thebase station B emits at least a first signal (such as, preferably, aradio frequency (RF) signal) which first signal is receivable by areceiver worn on the trackee 500, provided that the receiver is in rangeof the base station B emitting the first signal. The range of the basestation B in FIG. 5 is shown by a dotted-line circle 501. The range ofthe base station B can be extended by using a signal repeater ortransceiver, for example, located at the center of dotted line circle502. Thus, with repeaters or transceivers, the range can be adjustedalong any line and can be a regular or irregular shape (as is the casewith many property lines)

A distance (preferably a range of distances) that a signal reaches fromthe base station B is selected based mainly on the nature of the trackee500 (such as a pet, an item of personal property to be protected fromtheft, a human being, etc.) and the area in which the trackee is wantedto be confined. For example, when the trackee 500 is a pet, preferablythe signal is a signal having an adjustable range, such as a signaladjustable in a range of about a minimum of 50 feet from the basestation B to a maximum of about 300 feet from the base station B.However, in other embodiments, different signal ranges may be used. Forexample, for a pet living on a large property, a larger maximum distancethan 300 feet may be wanted. In FIG. 5, the trackee 500 is drawn as a4-legged animal, but it should be appreciated that the trackee is not solimited and can be a person, an inanimate object, etc.

The base station B that has been mentioned for use in the invention,preferably is physically placed in an indoor or protected location, suchas, e.g., inside the residence. For properties on which the residence isnot centrally located, if wanted, the base station B may be placed in aprotected location other than inside the residence and, if necessary, ahousing for the base station B may be constructed. The base station Bpreferably is “portable,” namely, is of a size, shape and detachabilitywhich permits its movement with relative ease by the user, such as foreasy movement, in a usual family automobile or vehicle, requiring nomore space than a piece of luggage. For example, the desired movementmay be between a main residence and alternately a vacation spot. A“portable” base station B means that it may be moved without any diggingactivity. It will be appreciated that the base station B may, in lesspreferred embodiments, be non-portable. When the base station B is madeportable, advantageously there may thereby be provided a portablevirtual fence.

An example of using a signal-sending base station with a receiver on atrackee is the following multi-mode system, which comprises: a firstmode which is a low-power mode which operates while a signal is receivedindicating that the receiver on the trackee remains within range of thebase station; a second mode which is a standby mode (such as, e.g., astandby mode that is engaged when no signal indicating that the receiveron the trackee remains within range of the base station is received; astandby mode that is engaged during a walk mode when a switch on thebase station sends a signal acknowledging that the receiver will beleaving the range of the base station; etc.); and a third mode which isa lost trackee mode which is activated upon user authorization. (suchas, e.g., user authorization which is a user's affirmative response toan inquiry to the user for whether the pet should be tracked; userauthorization which is the user reporting loss of the trackee, etc.). Inthe lost trackee mode, a dynamic power management mechanism may be usedwhere the time period between reporting on location information variesthe longer one is looking for the lost trackee (e.g., reports might bemade at shorter intervals in the beginning, then longer intervals thelonger one looks—further, provision may be made for the user to notifythe service center to provide reports during shorter period intervals ondemand during the lost trackee mode).

One example of using a standby mode is as follows. A signal indicatingthat the receiver on the trackee remains within range of the basestation is at a first frequency. A signal acknowledging that thereceiver is leaving the range of the base station is at a secondfrequency which is different from the first frequency. The standby modeis engaged upon (1) non-receipt of the first frequency signal indicatingthat the receiver on the trackee remains within range of the basestation or (2) receipt of the second frequency signal. The secondfrequency signal may be activatable via a switch on the base station sothat a user switching the switch activates the second frequency signalwhen taking the trackee for a walk out of range of the base station.

The base station may include a switch on the base station for a user toswitch the signal from low-power to standby mode. Including such aswitch on the base station by which a user can switch to change thesignal from low-power to standby mode, is particularly suited toproviding a system useable as a portable virtual fence.

Examples of a lost trackee mode are a lost trackee mode including a GPSmode with a GSM tracking mode; a lost trackee mode including a GPS modewith a CDMA tracking mode; etc. Preferably, lost trackee mode includes aGPS mode and a GSM tracking mode, wherein GPS mode is primarily used andGSM tracking mode is used only when GPS mode is not operational.

A multi-mode system optionally may include a fourth mode which is abattery alert, wherein a message is sent to the appropriate personadvising him or her to effect a battery change.

A multi-mode system optionally may include a five mode, which is aself-test mode after a battery has been replaced. Such a self-test modeis advantageous because, when the battery is removed from the unit wornby the trackee, the unit shuts down, and, upon replacing the battery, itis advantageous for the unit to self-test.

For further improving the advantageous results of using the presentinvention, preferably, the trackee has attached thereto one or moreoptional features that aid detection of if the trackee goes missing,such as an optional light system which is selectively activatable whenthe trackee is being searched-for (such as, e.g., a light system thatcomprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) that emits light whilethe missing trackee is being tracked); an optional audio system which isselectively activatable when the trackee is being searched-for. It isparticularly preferred in the inventive tracking systems to attach, tothe trackee, a light system which is selectively activatable, especiallywhen the trackee is a pet.

Some non-limiting examples are as follows, without the invention beinglimited to the examples.

EXAMPLE 1

An inventive animal tracking system is configured according to FIGS. 1,2 and 3, and is constructed according to the following equipmentspecifications:

-   Battery: 3.7 V-   AH: 2.1 A-   Standby: ˜10 days-   Solar charger: 4.8 V-   GSM Frequency: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz-   GPS Frequency: 1575.42 MHz-   Warning devices: high-intensity LED and sounder

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a tracking device is fitted to the collarof a dog to enable tracking and retrieving the dog should it be lost orstolen. Satellite position information as well as GSM tracking is usedto send and receive commands to and from the unit fitted to the collar.

System Operation

Referring to FIG. 3, the system is controlled by a microprocessor 304,which acts as the housekeeper or the brain of the operation. Themicroprocessor 304 contains a program that controls the states and modesof the electronic devices comprising the tracking system. Themicroprocessor 304 generally runs in a low power or trickle mode.

Referring again to FIG. 3, typical tasks for the microprocessor arewaking up x times per day and doing a status check or self-test of theGSM 301, GPS 302 and SIM card 303, as well as the antennas, and thebattery 310. Depending on the preset conditions, the unit sends a reportof “all OK” or “battery below 50%” back to the control room or theowner. The system keeps the control centre number permanently stored andtwo more reprogrammable numbers of the owners.

For communication, the system uses a GSM engine 301 placed into lowpower or semi sleep mode, to minimize power use. The system reads anyincoming messages from the network with a very small delay time.

The GSM unit 301 will go into full power mode when the system movesbetween cells and has to log onto a new cell, or when a message isreceived. The rest of the time, the unit remains in low-power mode asmuch as possible. The unit uses very low power standby powerconsumption.

Active Mode

Whenever a signal is received to track the unit, the microprocessor(304) turns all systems on as instructed, and gets a satellite fix usingthe GPS (302). The GPS (302) is completely switched off during noiivaloperation (i.e., when the pet is fenced) and is only switched on duringa tracking exercise. The GPS (302) needs ˜60-90 seconds to lock onto thesatellite signals and determine a position fix (if good GPS satellitesignals are received). The GPS (302) then continually tracks theposition of the animal unless instructed otherwise. The GPS (302) goesinto full operational mode, determines the position, and reports theposition to the microprocessor (304), which in turn sends the positionfix back through the GSM network.

Once the position fix is acquired, the GPS (302) is placed into apower-save mode where the signal is read at small intervals in time butnot continually. The calculation engine is kept running but noinformation is shared to the outside world. The system is still deemedactive and not in sleep mode.

No GPS Fix

If no good signal from the GPS is found, the GPS (302) will report alast known good signal stored in memory. The GPS (302) will then reporta bad signal during transmission. If the GPS (302) fails in receiving agood signal, the unit is put into a longer read cycle to save battery(310) power. The unit then occasionally switches on and tries to acquirea position fix.

Switch GSM

Once GPS fix is not available, the unit goes over to a full GSM (301)tracking mode where as much of the cell information available to it atthat stage is sent back to a calculation engine that does the locationof the device based on the network information as well as the recoveredinformation from the tracking device. The information can be publishedon a map, placed on the web, made known to the owners, or kept in thecontrol room as required. The end result is a position of ˜2-50 mdiameter.

If the GSM tracking and the GPS tracking data is only sent to thecontrol room where it can be processed and made ready for clients, theclients with a missing pet must use the system to find the missinganimal and cannot find the animal on their own. Alternately, trackingdata can be sent so that the clients can find the animal on their own.

Using a moving map system, the recovered position from GSM or GPS isplotted on the map, indicating the plot with a unique symbol.

GPS Tracking

Using GPS tracking relies on the fact that the dog is moving outside inthe open and that the GPS receiver can see the satellites far a periodof at least 60 seconds during the time of switch-on (which is theacquisition period on cold start after the unit has been moved to a newlocation). A very-high sensitivity unit preferably is used that cantrack the satellites when facing towards the ground. When the animal iswearing the device, the antenna will tend to point down towards theground.

Using GPS tracking, the system needs to see at least two satellites ormore to do an accurate positioning by calculating the time differencebetween the satellite signals. Expected accuracy for a GPS systemlooking at the ground is ˜20-50 meters which is more than good enoughfor this application.

GSM Tracking

By using the GSM unit alone, use can be made of network cell informationfrom the radio network to determine the position of the device. As themicroprocessor on the tracking system is limited in size and batterypower, the raw network information is sent to the control centre where acomputer running a calculation engine calculates the position using theinformation of the known network and that recovered from the trackingdevice.

By collecting the information in the GSM module (301) and sending thesurrounding cell information back to the control room, the position ofthe device can be determined down to 20 meters. Some information andcooperation is required from the network operators in the areas covered.

By using GSM tracking as needed, advantageously, the unit is trackableinside buildings, under roofs, even underground (e.g., parking areas). Arough indication can be sent and then followed by more detailedinformation using as many measurements of the surrounding cells aspossible.

The GSM (301) system usually goes to full power mode to recover thetracking information as the unit moves. The GSM position informationtypically requires almost a full SMS length to send back a single plot.The unit is programmed at the frequency or intervals the information hasto be sent. Each send draws battery (310) power as the unit has to gointo full transmit mode, so this feature has to be used sparingly untilthe recovery team or family are close to the animal.

Tracking Using Lights

Lights (306) are activated when the device goes into lost-pet mode.Tracking using lights (306) is especially effective at night. BrightLEDs can be seen for at least 100 meters provided that they are pointingtowards the observer and are unobstructed by local objects.

When the animal is hiding or inside a house, visual tracking will helplocate the animal in a dark corner. Care has to be taken about using thelights (306) and the repetition frequency as these can draw asubstantial current from the battery (310).

Network

To operate the tracking system, a very simple network system can beused. To minimize cost while still having efficiency, a single GSM modemis used, connected to a personal computer using serial or USB ports.Whenever the unit transmits, or needs to be activated, a simple commandis typed on the computer and sent directly via the GSM network as aregular SMS. The SMS is processed through the service provider as anyother SMS and is sent to the unit. The only drawback with such a systemis that the message can wait for delivery inside the SMSC depending onthe workload of the system at that time. To overcome this, the serviceprovider can provide a different SMSC number that can be used. Highpriority services running for customers are available, and thisapplication can be placed onto this system. Delivery times for mostservice providers were ˜2-5 seconds (guaranteed by most). The message isgenerated through the tracking device and sent back using the same wayto the priority SMSC number back to the GSM modem in the control centre.This is a low-cost small tracking system. The single modem can easilyhandle up to 500-1,000 users with ease. Feeding the information back toa single PC allows the tracking to be done quite successfully using onemodem and one PC.

To expand the system, more modems are added per control room. By usingport expanders or low cost PCs up to 20 modems' information can be fedto a server that processes the data coming in. When more users in othertowns are added, the control rooms are set up in that town using thesame system.

As a recovery or tracking team is needed in most cases, the ideal placefor a control centre PC is with small patrol agencies or securitycompanies with 24-hour staff.

As the system is digitally based, recording the incoming informationgives full trackability. The service provider can keep a backup recordthat can be retrieved from the SMSC server, and the control center canlog all entries, even if people do not respond to them.

To provide a huge centralized control centre for the whole of the U.S.,a dedicated line or aggregator arrangement with a service providerthrough an external party is used.

Control Centre Computers/Servers

When the modem has delivered the incoming position data from anidentified device, the data is converted to a position that can be readand interpreted by humans. The information is tagged (ID) and thendisplayed on a map or satellite map such as Google's “keyhole”. Softwaresuch as GPSS from www.gpss.co.uk may be used. As the message is receivedit is converted and the map zoomed in or out and moved so that theposition can be seen. A symbol is then placed at that location.

If GSM tracking is used, the calculation engine on the PC (a softwareprogram) calculates the position and then converts that to a standardmapping input. The map is then manipulated in the same way as the GPSmaps.

Several mapping options are available. Care should be taken that themaps can move according to GPS inputs, and must be able to display morethan one Id number per map.

As the system grows, a dedicated server or PC can be used to processinformation of every area and assist with the tracking thereof.

User Interface

The most interactive way for users to play and test the system is toeither call the operator and manually activate the signal to tell themwhere the animal 500 is, or to use a fully automated system where theinputs for the system can be given using a web browser, and the resultdisplayed to the user in the form of a map on his/her personal homecomputer.

EXAMPLE 2

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, this Example is a system that includestracking and communication components secured to a collar worn by ananimal such as a cat or dog. These tracking and communication componentsinclude a radio frequency (RF) antenna, a global positioning system(GPS) module, and a global system for mobile communications (GSM)module, all of which are powered by an on-board battery pack. Thebattery pack is re-chargeable. An RF transmitter or transceiver ispositioned on the battery pack charger, and the pet owner puts thebattery pack charger within his or her residence, or within a vacationhome or hotel to which he or she is traveling, or at any other suitablelocation where the ability to detect the unplanned absence of the pet isdesired.

In operation, the RF antenna on the collar is always active. While RFsignals from the battery pack charger are received from RF transmitteror transceiver, the GPS module and GSM module are not operational, toconserve battery power. Once the RF receiver is out of range of the RFtransmitter or transceiver, as would be the case when the cat or dogstrays beyond a certain boundary (defined by the signal radius of the RFtransmitter or transceiver), firmware within the collar mounted systemcauses the GSM modem within the GSM module to transmit, via a GSMantenna, a message to the tracking service indicating that the pet isoutside the boundary area which signifies that the pet might be lost.This message is sent through the Cingular wireless network, and is ofthe small message system (SMS) type (text messaging). The trackingservice is able to identify the missing cat or dog from the informationtransmitted by GSM that is obtained from the subscriber identificationmodule (SIM), which is unique to each unit (i.e., the transmittedinformation from the GSM modem of each animal uniquely identifies theanimal).

The service then sends to the pet owner a notification that the pet maybe lost. This notification can take the form of any or all of thefollowing: 1) a text message to the owner's cell phone; an email to theowner's email address; and/or 3) a facsimile to the owner's facsimile.

After the pet owner receives the message, the pet owner will thencontact the service to request assistance in tracking the pet. This canbe accomplished in a number of different ways. As one example, the petowner telephones the service center and speaks with an operator. Oncethe operator responds to the call, the owner identifies his or her petby providing a personal identification number (PIN) or other secureidentification code. As another example, the pet owner logs onto a website operated by the service center, and sends a message that his or herpet is lost (such as by clicking on a button that indicates the person'spet is lost). The person is then presented with a page that allows himor her to enter identification information for the pet. As anotherexample, the pet owner has a java script enabled telephone which allowshim or her to dial up the service and enter the identificationinformation directly.

Once the service has received a communication from the pet owner that heor she requests assistance in locating their pet, the service sends atext message to the GSM module located on the pet's collar. This messagecauses the firmware to turn the GPS module on. (When tracking is inprogress, the pet's collar is determining its location via GPS (or GMS,if GPS is not available) every 90 seconds (130, 170 in FIG. 1) for 15minutes (135 in FIG. 1; 230 in FIG. 2). When latitude and longitudecoordinates are determined at the GPS module on the pet's collar,information corresponding to these coordinates is sent as a message tothe service using the GSM module. (140, 180 in FIG. 1.) The locationdata is transmitted to the service without ever being stored in memoryon the pet's collar. Communications between the service and the pet'scollar are via SMS text messaging (e.g., 120, 140, 180 in FIG. 1) overCingular.

With the coordinate information, and using mapping facilities at theservice, an operator at the service is able to tell a pet owner bytelephone where his or her pet is located. Further, the information theservice operator is able to convey is in real time or near real time,such that a pet owner can be told, based on coordinate informationobtained from the GPS and mapping software operated at the service, inwhich direction the cat or dog is moving. With java script enabledphones, the pet owner is simply presented with a map of where the cat ordog is located (in this way, the pet owner is serving as his or her ownoperator).

Back up measures also are provided to assure that the tracking system ofthis Example functions properly. In particular, if the GPS system doesnot locate the cat or dog within one minute of the service sending amessage requesting coordinates, GSM tracking is employed to locate themissing pet. GPS is highly accurate, but signals may not be detectedwhen the pet is hiding in a building or in densely wooded areas. Inthese situations, GSM tracking, which is less accurate but which iseffective in situations where GPS is ineffective, can provideinformation that is used by the pet owner to locate his or her pet. Inthis case, pet location information is provided to the pet owner fromthe service in the same way as set forth above in this Example 2. Also,firmware causes a light emitting diode (LED) strobe light to emit pulsedillumination from LEDs located at the cat or dog's collar, once the cator dog is determined to be missing. The LED strobe can be turned onautomatically via the messages sent from the service after the owner hascontacted the service to confirm the pet is missing.

The inventive system of this Example operates according to a low batteryprotection scheme to assure that the device remains operational. When alow battery situation is determined by the firmware at the cat or dog'scollar, a message is sent by the GSM modem to the service. In response,the service sends one or more of a text message, a facsimile, and/or anemail to its customer (the pet owner) to notify him or her that it istime to change and/or recharge the battery. Upon changing of the batteryby the pet owner, the firmware causes a self-test to be performed, andinformation concerning the status of the battery and other features ofthe system are sent by the GSM modem to the service to indicate that thesystem is operational and that there is a full charge on the battery.The service then confirms this to the customer by sending to thecustomer one or more of a text message, a facsimile, and/or an email sothat the customer is assured the system is functioning properly. Thedevice now re-establishes itself with the base station, i.e., RF“pairing.”

EXAMPLE 3

An inventive chew-proof tracking unit attachable to a pet collar isprovided in this Example. The unit attaches to a standard pet collar.When a charged battery is installed in the unit, the unit perfoims aself-test and sends the results, through the GSM modem, to the servicecenter and is logged in that units data file, time and date stamped, atwhich time the unit is active.

The unit comprises a GSM modem, a GPS module, a printed circuit board,firmware, three active antennas (RF for communication with the basestation, GSM and GPS), an LCD strobe light and a battery, plusconnectors, all housed in a chew proof plastic housing.

The unit of this Example is used in cooperation with a base station asfollows. The base station of this Example is a battery charger as wellas an RF transmitter. The RF signal is modifiable by a switch by whichto adjust the radius of the RF signal from about 50 feet to about 500feet. This RF signal provides the virtual fence. When the unit's RFantenna is receiving this RF signal from the base station, the unitshuts down all other internal components to conserve energy. Thus, thebattery life between charges is extended compared to if any additionalpower-using components were not shut-down. The longer the pet is inrange of the RF signal from the base station, the longer between batterycharges.

If the pet leaves the virtual fence area and the RF antenna on the petceases to pick up the RF signal from the base station, the firmwareturns on the GSM components and sends a text message to the owner's cellphone that the pet may be lost.

The firmware then waits for a text message from the pet owner that infact the pet is lost, and, upon receipt, the firmware places the unitplaces the unit into the lost pet mode. When this text message isreceived by the unit on the lost pet, the GPS module is turned on andthe GPS module tries to get a longitude and latitude fix, whichpinpoints the location where the pet is. The unit on the pet sends thesecoordinates in a text message to the service center, the user's home, oruser's cell phone, where a mapping component pinpoints the location ofthe pet on a computer screen or cell phone screen. The owner now goes tofind the lost pet. This location updates itself every 75-90 seconds, onthe screen, with a color marker.

If the GPS cannot get a fix within 1-2 minutes, the firmware switches toGSM triangulation, another way to get a longitude/latitude fix, usingGSM cell sites. This GSM approach is less accurate than GPS, but willfind the pet in areas where GPS has too weak of a signal, such as underoverhangs, in buildings, etc. In lost pet mode, the firmware also turnson the strobe light so the owner will have an easier time finding thelost pet, especially at night. This lost pet mode stays on for 15minutes.

In this Example 3, the base station has a toggle switch that changes theRF signal from a virtual fence signal to a signal that tells the unit toturn on the GSM components, thereby permitting the owner to take the petfor a walk or somewhere away from the virtual fence without anyunnecessary text message being generated that the pet has left thevirtual fence area and sent to the owner's phone.

In this Example 3, a battery monitoring system is included that sends amessage to the owner's cell phone, fax and email that the battery is lowand that it is time for a battery change.

EXAMPLE 4 Use of Tracking Systems by Neighbors

The invention may be used by neighbors in nearby homes as follows. Inthis Example, inventive tracking systems are used by neighbors inrow-homes, town-homes, attached villas, or in other homes in closeproximity. Each neighbor has his/her own base station, with its own RFsignal which differs from the RF signal used by the neighbor.

EXAMPLE 5

This Example addresses the situation where a pet has gotten loose, andthe owner's cell phone which receives the SMS text message advising ofthe pet's situation is in a turned-off state. In this Example, after apredetermined period of time (such as 15 minutes), shut-down of the uniton the pet occurs, because it is wanted not to waste the unit's power.However, later, when the owner turns his or her cell phone back on, amessage is sent to the unit on the pet to turn-on.

EXAMPLE 6

In this Example, a feature is added on the unit worn by the pet thatmimics a non-electronic pet tag or microchip, by providing anotification that displays that the pet is lost and displays a toll-freenumber for someone finding the pet to call. Such notification is notrequired to be automated or electronic and can be non-electronic, suchas printed, engraved, embroidered, etc.

EXAMPLE 7 Household with Multiple Pets

In this Example, a household has two or more pets, each pet serviced bythe pet's unique base station, so that the number of pets in a householdequals the number of base stations. Each base station and each devicewill search for an RF signal and will pair. Once a base station-devicepair is established, the paired base station will not pair with anotherdevice and the paired device will not pair with another base station.That is, there is a one-to-one pairing of base station with device. Inwalk mode, a base station sends a signal that is only recognized by thedevice with which that base station is paired. Upon one pet (or morepets, such as if two or more pets unauthorizedly exit the propertytogether), the respective unit on each exited pet will go into lost-petmode and each lost pet's unit will contact the pet owner to announce thesituation.

EXAMPLE 8

In this example, the base station is replaceable (such as if the basestation is left on vacation) as an independent piece. A new base stationmay be purchased and will pair with any pet unit not already paired toanother base station that is present.

EXAMPLE 9 Power Management and Conservation

A conventional tracking product worn by a pet requires much turning-onto find longitude and latitude, which results in much power usage.Typically a conventional product will deplete a battery in about 1½ to 2days.

By contrast, the invention, with its inventive power management system,avoids much of the turning-on to find longitude and latitude needed byconventional systems. In this inventive Example, the lost pet mode isthe most power-consuming of the modes, and power usage in that mode isminimized. By using an inventive tracking system comprising an inventivepower management system, battery life on the pet unit may be extendedabout 8-10 fold compared to a conventional tracking system on a pet, byeliminating many of the turn-ons of the conventional systems. Thisextension of battery life, correspondingly, extends the battery lifefrom a conventional product's battery life of about 1½ to 2 days, to anextended life, for the invention, of about 14 to 16 days.

EXAMPLE 10

In this Example, the characteristics of the property where the trackeeis moving is considered. An inventive tracking system based on at leastone RF signal is not limited with respect to whether the trackeeencounters bodies of water. For example, the trackee wearing anRF-signal receiving device can safely move about a property with bodiesof water.

Preferably the device worn by the trackee is waterproof (not just waterresistant), so that the trackee (such as a pet dog) can jump in waterwithout the device needing to be removed.

EXAMPLE 11

In this Example, an advantageous snap-on system is provided, forsnapping the electronic device worn by a pet to a collar receiving thedevice. The snap-on attachment resembles a safety pin system. The deviceis provided with loops, like on a ball-point pen.

Referring to FIGS. 8-8D, module 800 includes front housing 801, seal802, PCB 803 (screwed down with the inner tray 804), battery 805, andbattery door 806.

Referring to FIGS. 8C and 8D, dimensions x, y and z are shown.

EXAMPLE 11A

Referring again to FIGS. 8-8D, in a preferred example, x=44 mm, y=54 mmand z=31.5 mm.

EXAMPLE 12

An inventive tracking system is operated according to FIG. 7, includingtracker unit (700), base station (701) and server (702), as shown. Thetracker unit (700) is securely provided for wearing by a pet or othertrackee. The base station (701) is established at the trackee'sresidence or other place where the trackee is supposed to remain withoutescaping. The server (702) is established at a staffed location.

EXAMPLE 13

Referring to FIGS. 9-9D, an exemplary base station 900 useable in theinvention may be appreciated. The base station 900 includes plug 902 bywhich the base station 900 is plugged into a wall outlet. The basestation 900 emits at least one RF signal using the antenna 901.

Referring to FIGS. 9B and 9C, dimensions x, y and z are shown for thebase station 900.

Referring to FIG. 9D, base station 900 is assembled as follows. Bottomhousing 910 and top housing 990 are provided, and house LED lens 904.The antenna 901 folds to nest in the pack. The base station 900 isassembled with strain relief 903. A battery charging bay 991 is on thetop housing 990. A dial 992 fits into the top housing 990. The dial 992clicks into position for each range setting.

Base station 900 (FIG. 9B) is manually adjustable by a user (pet owner)to a 30 foot radius, a 60 foot radius, or a 150 foot radius, dependingon approximate size of the yard area in which the pet is supposed toremain. By setting the base station 900 to one of these radius settings,a first RF signal is emitted to the selected distance.

Base station 900 also includes a “walk” setting (FIG. 9B). When the basestation 900 is adjusted by the pet owner to the “walk” setting, the basestation ceases to emit the first RF signal and instead begins to emit asecond RF signal, wherein the second RF signal is of a differentfrequency than the first RF signal.

EXAMPLE 13A

Referring again to FIGS. 9-9D, in a preferred example, x=120 mm, y=120mm and z=43 mm.

It will be appreciated that variations and modifications from theembodiments set forth above may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention, and that such modifications are to beconsidered within the present invention.

1-6. (canceled)
 7. A method for monitoring a pet, comprising:establishing safe location for at least one pet using a base stationpositioned within said safe location and a receiver connectable to saidat least one pet, wherein said base station and said receivercommunicate with each other by radio frequency transmissions while saidat least one pet is within said safe location; and tracking said atleast one pet using a global positioning system (GPS) when said at leastone pet has left said safe location established in said establishingstep.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said tracking step is performedby a service center, and further comprising the steps of obtainingauthorization by said service center from an owner of said at least onepet to perform said tracking step; and providing by said service centerto said owner location information obtained during said tracking step.9. The method of claim 8 wherein said providing step is performed bywireless transmission of said location information determined by saidservice center to a computer, telephone, or personal data assistantoperated by said owner.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein said trackingstep is only performed after said step of obtaining authorization.